The emperor's guard of honor came to Yanmen. Officials from Yanmen and Loufan counties, headed by Qu Tutong, the commander-in-chief of Daizhou's march, were already waiting here. In addition, ten thousand cavalry and infantry troops gathered from the two counties had also been waiting for a long time.
The army's food and fodder had been transported to Mayi, and everything was ready... which made the emperor's trip seem like a military operation.
This is actually the result of the emperor's patrol or personal expedition. Whether you are willing or not, you must have a large army accompanying you, and the expenditure is definitely no less than a medium-sized or large-scale war.
Li Po did not stay in Yanmen for long. News from the north kept coming back. The Turkic Khan and his entourage were approaching Dali City. Envoys from both sides also began to travel back and forth to re-agree on the time and location of the alliance.
There is no saying that the distinguished guest is late. The two countries meet as equals and will arrive at the alliance together. A large tent has been built in the middle area from Dali City to **.
The main force of the Tang army will stay on the inner side of the river, while the Turkic army will be stationed on the grassland north of Dali City.
The rangers on both sides had already controlled hundreds of miles around the alliance, expelling the tribes wandering here and no longer allowing anyone to approach.
It can be said that no one can have the opportunity or the strength to sneak attack the two kings, unless they have malicious intentions and want to take the opportunity to kill each other.
If any one of them is really so unlucky, he can't blame anyone else. He can only blame himself for being too careless, and he will become a laughing stock after his death.
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When Li Po came to Mayi, a large army gathered.
The army has now increased to 35,000 men, most of whom are cavalry. They are fully armed and the military appearance is at its peak. It is incomparable to that of the past, but the combat effectiveness may be much weaker.
After all, those who followed Li Po in raising the army could be said to have fought for the rest of their lives. The soldiers gathered now have not experienced so many wars, and there are still many new recruits.
The truly combat-effective army was now scattered everywhere, and Li Po did not call them all back. After all, he was not here to fight the Turks this time.
On the contrary, some of the old troops were very excited to return to the emperor's command. In order to prepare for the Turks' southward invasion in recent years, Li Po never dared to relax in the direction of Mayi.
Therefore, many of his old troops stayed here and did not follow him to participate in the war to pacify the princes. They would meet again and see them all glowing and living a good life. Li Po felt quite proud of himself.
Even if these people do not have high-ranking officials and generous salaries, they are now rich and powerful. As a leader, he has lived up to everyone's trust and trust.
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The rumble of horse hoofs sounded again in Mayi, and the army escorted the emperor like a tide to the inside of the fortress. The main force of the army stopped one after another, and only two thousand people would follow Li Po out of the fortress.
This is the number of people determined by both sides, no more, no less. When something goes wrong, the first one will not go up and fight with the person, but will turn around and run away while protecting the emperor or the khan.
At this time, there was no Turk among Li Po's bodyguards, they were all troops he brought from Chang'an.
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It was late summer and early autumn, and the grass and trees had not yet withered, but the wind on the grassland had already become cool, and the figure that snaked like a long snake was gradually left behind.
The horses' hooves were good, the team was moving neither too fast nor too slowly, and the reports from the rangers kept coming back. From time to time, Turkic people could be seen around them.
This feeling is very strange to Li Po.
Returning to the grassland after many years, he found such a scene, which made him feel a bit absurd.
But the scenery on the grassland is still so open. The sky is high and the clouds are clear. The grassland covered with a green carpet looks smooth and undulating. The trees are sparse, and it seems that you can see the end of the world at a glance.
The fragrance of green grass and earth filled the air, and Li Po couldn't help but take two deep breaths, his mind widened.
The grassland is not a good place. The wind here is too strong and the winter is too cold. The scenery looks nice, but as long as you stay here for a long time, you will find it boring and boring, and the people's lives are very difficult.
But it is here that the powerful rivals of the Central Plains Dynasty have been raised from generation to generation, and they have never been cut off. God really played a good hand, and I guess I am very happy...
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Not far from the meeting place, some tents appeared in sight. The tent roofs were as white as snow and reflected light under the sunlight. From a distance, they looked like some white mushrooms growing on the grassland.
The team gradually slowed down, and Li Po narrowed his eyes. Haven't the Turks arrived yet? Are they trying to show us off first? If that's the case, the Turks would be too petty.
Facts have proved that Ashina Yang Huan is not so stingy. As the team gradually approached, a black line appeared in the distance, and a large golden wolf flag stood straight in the air. Turkic Khan Ashina Yang
The ring has arrived.
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Ashina Yang Huan was also looking into the distance while riding on his horse. When he saw the figure appearing on the opposite side, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
She was about to meet her nephew and son-in-law. She was in a good mood. She could still see her relatives in her lifetime, which was very important to her.
As for national affairs, let's take it slow... She has been in Turks for too long, and is used to seeing the faces of Turks, and she misses the customs of her hometown even more...
In fact, it is understandable that women are always more emotional than men. Even though she is a Turkic Khan and has become one of the legends in the world, she still remains a daughter.
She stroked her waist on the horse. She was no longer young. After a long journey, she was already exhausted. Ashina Mudan, who had been by her side, looked at her worriedly, unable to imagine what would happen after they met.
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The teams on both sides were gradually getting closer, and the faces of the people gradually became clearer in each other's eyes.
The team's marching speed was much slower, as if they were observing the opponent's intentions and trying to probe. The wind in the grassland had a solemn smell.
More than ten years later, the Golden Wolf Flag and the Sun, Moon and Star Flag gathered together again. There was no more fighting and bloodshed, but the vague hostility between them could not be eradicated.
Li Po raised his arm and asked the soldiers to stop. He took the lead in urging the war horse to move forward. He stopped a long way away and cupped his hands.
This may be the most dangerous moment in the alliance. Maybe as long as someone shoots an arrow, it can cause a catastrophic massacre, and countless people will die in the subsequent conflicts.
However, such a scene did not happen, and the other party reacted quickly.
Ashina Yang Huan stood out from the crowd and came not far from Li Po. He did not use Turkic etiquette, but also bowed his hands on the horse.
Separated by dozens of steps, their eyes met in the air...